Kevin Costner’s Most Underrated Western Movie Is a Top 10 Netflix Hit, 6 Years Later

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Kevin Costner has had a long and successful career, appearing in a wide variety of films – from sports stories like Field of Dreams to political thrillers such as JFK and even big superhero movies like Man of Steel. However, he’s become especially known for his work in Westerns. He won Academy Awards for Dances With Wolves and recently starred in the popular TV series Yellowstone. Having Costner in a Western often makes it a bigger draw, and now one of his lesser-known Western films is gaining popularity thanks to streaming.

I was so glad to see that Let Him Go, the Kevin Costner movie, was still doing well on Netflix! From March 30th to April 5th of 2020, it actually hit number 10 globally! Apparently, over 3.7 million people watched it during that week, adding up to a total of 7 million hours of viewing time. It’s awesome that it stayed in the top 10 for three weeks!

Let Him Go Is a Vintage Costner Western Thriller Worth Checking Out

You might have missed Let Him Go when it came out, and that’s okay! It was released in theaters in November 2020, right when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, so not many people saw it. It only made $10.8 million worldwide, though it actually opened at number one domestically with $4 million. Despite this, critics generally liked it – it has an 85% ‘Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film follows George Blackledge (Kevin Costner) and his wife Margaret (Diane Lane) as they try to save their grandson from a threatening family, the Weboy’s.

One of the best parts of Let Him Go is seeing Kevin Costner and Diane Lane reunite. They have great chemistry together, which makes their characters’ relationship believable and adds depth to what could have been a simple revenge story. They’re captivating on screen, and it’s easy to become invested in their plight. The supporting cast is also strong, with Lesley Manville, Jeffrey Donovan, and Will Brittain creating a truly unsettling and hateable villainous family.

One of the best things about Let Him Go is how it looks. The film beautifully recreates the 1960s, making viewers feel like they’ve stepped back in time. The cinematography is also excellent, reminiscent of classic Westerns with its stunning shots of the landscape. Director Thomas Bezucha and cinematographer Guy Godfree skillfully use lighting and camera angles to create the perfect mood for the film’s intense story. It’s no surprise Focus Features wanted this film shown in theaters, even during the pandemic – it looks incredible on a big screen, making it a must-see for Western fans with a good home theater system.

While Let Him Go didn’t receive the same recognition as some of Kevin Costner’s classic Westerns, it’s a solid, traditional thriller that genre fans will likely enjoy. The movie unfolds at a deliberate pace, which suits its thoughtful examination of difficult themes like loss and healing. It’s great to see a film like this perform well on streaming, and readers of Larry Watson’s original novel should find it a faithful adaptation.

You can watch Let Him Go on Netflix in some countries. In the U.S., it’s available to stream on Peacock and to rent or buy on demand.

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2026-04-11 16:40